Event spearheaded by Real Radio 104.1 in Orlando

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ACROSS CENTRAL FLORIDA ARE TEAMING UP TO GET GUNS OFF THE STREETS TODAY. IN FACT, THESE ARE ALL PICTURES OF SOME OF THE GUNS THEY'VE BEEN GETTING ALL DAY TODAY. AS DAVID HALL TELLS US, THEY'RE COLLECTING THE WEAPONS, NO QUESTIONS ASKED, IN EXCHANGE FOR EVERYTHING FROM GIFT CARDS TO GAS. WE HAVE TWO TABLES IN FRONT OF US WITH A LOT OF GUNS IN FRONT OF ME. WE SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING IN AND DROPPING OFF SOME OF THESE UNWANTED GUNS. SOME PEOPLE TELL ME THEY ACTUALLY WANT TO TRY TO HELP KEEP THE STREETS SAFE. THIS WAS THE SCENE THURSDAY AT THE CENTRAL FLORIDA FAIRGROUNDS ON WEST COLONIAL DRIVE. PEOPLE DRIVING UP, AND DROPPING OFF THEIR UNWANTED GUNS, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. IT'S PART OF THE 16TH ANNUAL KICKS FOR GUNS TAKING PLACE IN FIVE COUNTIES, INCLUDING ORANGE COUNTY AND THROUGHOUT 15 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. THAT GUN HAS BEEN IN THE CLOSET SO LONG AND I KEPT LOOKING AT IT AND LOOKING AT IT AND I THOUGHT LET ME GET IT OUT OF HERE. THAT'S WHY I DID IT. HE DROVE UP AND DROPPED OFF HIS .22 RIFLE HE HAD FOR 15 YEARS. HE NO LONGER NEEDED IT. I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE USED IN ANY OTHER CRIME OR ANYTHING BUT I WANTED TO GET IT OUT OF THE HOUSE SO WE WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH IT. LAST YEAR'S EVENT, ORANGE COUNTY TOOK IN 200 PLUS GUNS. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ARE HOPING FOR MORE. THEY WANT THE COMMUNITY TO BE SAFE AND WANT THE UNWANTED GUNS OFF THE STREETS. THAT'S AN OLD ANTIQUE WE'VE BEEN HAVING FOR YEARS. OKAY? YOU KNOW, HEY, I WANTED TO GET RID OF IT, GET IT OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENED TO US. THAT WAS DAVID HALL REPORTING. WE'VE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE DIFFERENT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ALL DAY. AT LAST CHECK, ORANGE COUNTY SAYS THEY HAVE COLLECTED 189 GUNS AND A SPUD LAUNCHER. WINTER PARK SAYS THE FINAL COUNT WAS 44 WEAPONS AND KISSIMMEE POLICE GOT 47 GUNS, INCLUDING A SAWED-OFF SHOTGUN AND DAYTONA BEACH POLICE SAY HAVE COLLECTED 83 GUNS, ONE OF WHICH WAS STOLEN. YOU HAVE TIME TO GET OUT AND TRADE IN YOUR WEAPONS. MOST EVENTS RUN UNTIL 7:00 TONIGHT. WE HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION

ORLANDO, Fla. -

Law enforcement agencies around Central Florida on Thursday launched "Kicks 4 Guns," an annual event spearheaded by Real Radio 104.1.

The event, in its 16th year, allows residents to anonymously turn in unwanted weapons -- no questions asked -- in return for shoes or gift cards. No ID is required.

Hundreds of guns were turned in at several locations, including Orlando, Daytona Beach and Winter Park.

"Well, that gun has been in the closet for so long I figured, 'Let me get it out of here,'" said Hank Knapp, who dropped off a .22-caliber rifle he's owned for 15 years. "So that's why I did it. I really don't think that gun would be used in any other crime, but I wanted it out so we'd have no problems with it."

For anyone wanting to participate, all weapons should be unloaded and placed in plastic bags in the trunk of a car. A deputy or police officer will remove the gun.

Cocoa- Byrd Plaza, 801 Dixon Blvd. Participants at this location will receive $50 gift cards to Wal-Mart, Publix or Winn Dixie with a maximum of 3 per person and $10.00 for pellet guns.

Titusville- 405 South Hopkins Avenue at the old downtown district at corner of Hopkins Avenue and Julia Street. Participants at this location will also receive $50 gift cards with no limit on number of cards for guns. Gift cards valued at $10 will be given in exchange for pellet/air guns. If residents are unable to make it to the Hopkins Avenue location in Titusville, police will arrange special pickups on this day only by contacting the Titusville Police Department.

OSCEOLA COUNTY

Drop-off locations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.:

The Sheriff's Office will hold their Gas 4 Guns event at Osceola Heritage Park located at 1875 Silver Spur Lane in Kissimmee. Gas cards for $50 will be given in exchange for guns.

Kissimmee Police Department will hold its Kicks 4 Guns program at 2211 W. Vine St. in Kissimmee. Residents will get $50 Wal-Mart or Target gift cards in exchange for their weapons.

Daytona Beach Police: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., or until the gift cards are gone at the John H. Dickerson Center, located at 308 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Daytona Beach. DBPD will exchange gift cards up to $50 depending on the type and condition of the gun.

Volusia County Sheriff's Office: Volusia County Fairgrounds at 3150 E. New York Ave. just east of DeLand from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents who turn in their guns will get one $50 Walmart gift card.

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